PAS set for crunch talks on Bersatu cooperation ahead of Aidiladha, says party sec-gen

“KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — PAS is expected to hold a meeting within the next few days to decide its next course of action regarding ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), following growing tensions within Perikatan Nasional (PN). According to Harian Metro , PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the discussions would likely take place before Hari Raya Aidiladha and may initially involve only the Islamist party’s leadership. “We will hold a meeting in the near future and then make a decision. It will be done within one or two days, before Hari Raya Aidiladha. “Whether we meet among ourselves first (PAS), then Bersatu, we will see. It may be a PAS meeting first,” he told reporters after attending Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia’s 58th anniversary convention here today. Also present were PN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Gerakan president Dominic Lau and the party’s secretary-general Wong Chia Zen. The latest friction within the Opposition coalition follows remarks by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, who said the party would reassess its cooperation with Bersatu over what he described as actions that breached the spirit of solidarity among PN component parties. Hadi said several recent moves by Bersatu had caused unease within PAS. Among them, he cited Bersatu’s dismissal of several Kedah executive councillors as well as Kelantan deputy Speaker Datuk Mohamed Farid Mohamed Zawawi, all from Bersatu’s own ranks. Asked about PAS’ recent directive barring members from issuing public comments on developments involving the party and its allies, Takiyuddin said the move was aimed at preventing confusion rather than restricting freedom of speech. “There is freedom, but there is a proper way. If everyone speaks up, the situation will become even more chaotic. We need to have a vision and allow the leadership to decide,” he said.

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